With COVID still circulating widely (85,000 Americans becoming infected each day) and taking lives, doctors are worried that about a “Twindemic” this Winter: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-flu-season-winter-twindemic/

This year, we decided to get our flu vaccination at a “Drive Through Clinic”: https://www.news8000.com/content/uploads/2020/07/Hy-Vee-Offering-Drive-Up-Flu-Shot-Clinics-Release_FINAL_072820.p

Only one other couple (in the photo) got the shot while we were there…

The way it was done was that you filled out the paperwork via the “drive up prescription” window and then parked in a parking space to wait until the pharmacist came out from inside. There was then about a 15 minute or so wait. The pharmacist came out, opened the car door, and then gave the flu shot in the arm closest to her. Afterwards, she provided the final paperwork that showed which vaccine had been given.

Yes, we did get a “drive up” flu shot. However with the lack of people present who wanted a flu shot (plus the very slow pace of the pharmacist), I certainly wouldn’t call it a “vaccination clinic” like other drive through clinics I’ve seen on TV. To be more precise, a single one day drive through COVID vaccination clinic back in March attracted 3,600 people. Unfortunately, the demand for the COVID shot has since dwindled and all COVID vaccination clinics have ended.

Although we have gotten an annual flu shot every year since we first got married, many Americans traditionally don’t get a flu shot. During the 2019-2020 flu season, only 51.8% of people ages six months and older got a flu vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That was back even before all vaccines became a hot political topic like it has become in recent times. The number of people getting a flu shot during the 2020-2021 season was down in comparison to previous years. So the same may be true this flu season, too. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, in our county, only 37.4% of the population has gotten a COVID vaccination. That is quite a bit lower than the National average. Most COVID shots given here are now going mainly to those who are already fully vaccinated & getting their booster. These folks are also the most likely demographics to willingly wear a mask indoors in public.

Despite low vaccination numbers = high risk, new COVID vaccination demand in our county these days is now close to zero.

Based on various “walk up” flu clinics (with very long lines of hundreds of people wanting a shot) that I’ve attended over the years, it doesn’t look like a lot of people in our county want a flu shot this year. I never expected to see only 2 other people get the shot during the half hour we were there. That was rather bizarre.

Anyhow, both my husband and I have gotten fully vaccinated against COVID and now have also had our annual flu shot. We aren’t yet eligible for a COVID booster shot…. That will be next in the future. Despite our county having no mask ordinance, we still wear a mask indoors in public. No matter what other chose to do, we are doing our best to “stay safe” and to keep others safe.

If everyone in America was like minded, we could control the pandemic. Some are. A whole lot aren’t. And the Pandemic goes on. Hopefully, it won’t become a Twindemic this Winter. Vaccinations are good, but sadly, they don't make everyone 100% "bullet proof". So, what-the-unvaccinated-do can effect us all... in so many different ways.